2017 Annual Re-Ride of the Pony Express National Historic Trail Across Nebraska

June 6, 2017 - June 8, 2017

The Re-Ride will travel along the Pony Express National Historic Trail, starting in Nebraska at the Tri-County Marker near Steele City on June 6. Then “The Pony” will continue riding across the state, passing through or by Rock Creek Station, Alexandria, Hebron, Oak, Edgar, Hastings, Kenesaw, Ft. Kearny State Park, Elm Creek, Overton, Lexington, Cozad, Gothenburg, Brady, Maxwell, North Platte, Hershey, Sutherland, Paxton, Ogallala, Brule, Big Springs, Chappell, Lodgepole, Sidney, Dalton, Bridgeport, Bayard, Chimney Rock, Gering, Scotts Bluff National Monument and then pass out of the state near Lyman on June 8.

The National Pony Express Association will relay mail by horse and rider over the famed Pony Express National Historic Trail June 5-15, 2017. “The Pony” will leave the Patee House in St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 5 and travel 1966 miles across 8 states, arriving in Old Sacramento, California, on June 15. The event is the longest equestrian event by distance in the nation. The 8 states involved are Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Nebraska has the most miles of the 8 states at 565. The Re-Ride takes 10 days, riding 24/7, just like in 1860. Over 700 Riders will take the Pony Express Oath and receive a Bible, in the tradition of the Pony Express. New Riders are always needed. Personal and commemorative letters will be carried in the mochila cantinas. The mochila is transferred from horse to horse as the Re-Ride progresses. Sending a commemorative letter in 2017 will cost the same as a letter cost to send in 1860 – $5.00. This year’s keepsake commemorative letter will celebrate Nebraska’s Sesquicentennial, describing The Great Platte River Road history and highlighting Nebraska’s iconic trail feature, Chimney Rock. Also, the envelope will showcase the USPS-issued Nebraska Sesquicentennial postage stamp. After covering the almost 2000 miles, each letter will receive a special postmark at Sacramento, to show that it was carried by Pony Express, before continuing on by regular USPS mail to its addressed recipient. Letter application forms are available to everyone at http://nationalponyexpress.org/the-states/nebraska/#forms . The website will also track the mochila by GPS and have Re-Ride progress reports. The public is welcome to come out to witness mochila exchanges and/or follow along, as well.